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J. C. GOODRIDGRJI'.

GULVBRT 0B. WATER WAY.

No. 354,897. Patented Dec. 28, v1886.

. upstream to a distance approximately equal STATES JOHN O. GOODRIDGE, JR., OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CULVERT OR WATER-WAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 354,897, dated December 28,1886.

Application filed May 8. 1886. Serial No. 201.528. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN C. Goonn'rncfn, J r., of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Construction of Culverts and Water- Ways, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

ln times of freshet culverts and similar water-ways, when constructed in the usual manner, are apt to become obstructed by floating material washed down from the inundated country. The first obstruction which lodges in the Water-way-serves to check the passage of other drift, thus constantly adding to the strength and imperviousness of the barrier. The water is dammed back and rises. Its pressure renders the removal of the obstruction difficult, if not impossible. Finally, if relief is not found, the water cuts a new channel for itself, and soon sweeps away the whole or a great part ofthe structure the water-Way was intended to preserve.

My invention consists in certain improvements in the constructiomwhereby a washout is obviated, and wherein the water-way is always open and free for the escape of water, notwithstanding the greater or less lodgment of floating matter at its mouth.

In the drawings forming part of this specication, Figure 1 shows an elevation of my method of construction; Fig. 2, a perspective view of thesame as applied to a railway-culvert of masonry. Fig. 3 is an elevation to illustrate the manner in which my invention accomplishes its purpose, and Fig. 4. is a perspective View of a railway-culvert constructed of beton or articial stone upon my method.

A represents the entrance of a culvert or water-way. From each side of the culvert or water-way side walls, B, are built, projecting to twice the width of the water-way. rIhese side walls, B, should be carried up to highwater mark. The interval, C, between the side walls, B B, is paved with masonry or concrete, or planked, or protected in any other manner which will resist the action of owing water. An invert of beton is preferred for this purpose. Provision should also be made to prevent the undermining of the iioor C. This may be done by the cross-walls D, or in any other manner which local circumstances demand. rIhe ends of the side walls, B B, should slope upward and toward the water-way, as

shown in the various figures, and I prefer to unite the side walls, B B, to the face of the water-way by an incline, as shown in Fig. 4.

lWhile neither of these particular features are absolutely essential elements of my invention, they add to its efficiency.

In-brief, my invention consists in adding to a culvert or water-way a passage projecting upstream in the nature of a flume, the top of which is open, and the depth of which equals the depth at high water, while its width is the same as that of the culvert or water-way, and

its length is double the width of the culvert or water-way.

I do not intend to limit myself to the preoise height or length of the side walls, B B, above set fort-h. The dimensions given are a good general rule, applicable to the great majority of cases. Local circumstances and conditions may demand modilications.' For instance, the amount of water to be discharged by the water-way varies greatly at different times, and where the amount of iioating matter is unusually large at periods of high water it will be well to lengthen the side walls, B B, to more than twice the width'of the waterway. Again, the object of the cross-walls D D and the door C is to prevent undermining.

Other means and methods may better accomplish this purpose in some peculiar cases.

Upon referring to Fig. 3, the way in which my method of construction accomplishes its purpose will be apparent. Floating matter is borne by the rising water downward until the side walls, B B, are encountered. Unless long enough to bridge the opening between those walls, it passes through the fiume and waterway. At last something lodges upon the ends not lodge in any event before the point F is reached, while if they do not roll vevenly over the top of those walls while in transit to F, and they usually will not, they will be so turned 5 as to admit of their being carriedthrough the culvert or water-way and downstream. Thus the space between E and F is always open to i the water, and the side walls, B B, should be made long enough to insure an ample free Io space for this purpose, even after all probable accumulation at F. Should the side walls, B B, be joined to the culvert or Waterway by an incline, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which is the construction I prefer, iioating matter acx 5 cumulating at F will be forced to a very considerable extent up that incline, thus tending to keep the passage between E and F clear and unobstructed.

Having thus described my invention, what I 2o claim as new, and desire to patent, is

.verts and Water-ways, as above described, I

have hereunto set my hand this 30th day 0f April, 1886.

JOHN C. GOODRIDGE, JR.

Witnesses:

R. T. VAN BosKERoK, CHARLES G. COE. 

